Christmas Mug

It is almost Christmas! I can't wait. Spending time with my family and friends after a busy few months finding property for my tearoom, filling in applications and securing funding. I received my official offer for the property yesterday so I will soon find out when I can move in. I'm very excited.

I treated myself yesterday to some Christmas drinking receptacles. I love my new Christmas mug with a ribbon design on. I'm drinking a festive tea, Cinnamon Spice by Yogi Teas.

And these pretty snowflake tumblers were a bargain at 75p each.

It's amazing the difference it makes to a drink when you drink it from something pretty :-)

Great Festive Cake Idea

I was looking at cake recipes and came across this fantastic cake, but particularly, the icing sugar dusted over the top.

The example here used doilies placed on top of the cake to use as a template, but how about using paper snowflakes that you hand cut yourself as a template?

 This was my version and I think it is super festive.

I served it up to my friends at my Christmas crafternoon last week. 

We ate food, drank mulled wine and made some simple Christmas crafts. It was a hit with everyone and got me feeling all Christmassy :-)

Cold Obsession & Christmas Crafternoon

OK, so I have to admit it now... I do have a bit of an obsession with snow and the like and find it totally fascinating. I love it and it makes the world feel magical. I was particularly fascinated, and dismayed at the temperature display on my mac.

If you can see, it says -14??? Well I wouldn't be surprised because look at the ice on the inside of my living room window this morning!

 Brrrr... anyway. On to less chilly things but super festive. I mentioned yesterday my Christmas Crafternoon. I've been working on putting together a programme of activities for my crafter guests. Things like these pretty snowflake felt coasters.

Mulled wine...oh cosy, warm and boozy... can a drink be any better??

Paper decorations made from last year's Christmas cards.

And a recipe for the mulled cider I told you about yesterday...ooft!

These were the kind of things I would like to do with my friends. They're dead easy but fun to make and they can take them home to but up in their homes.

I ordered my felt, tissue paper and the like yesterday so I am awaiting a delivery. I just hope the weather doesn't delay the postie or my Christmas Crafternoon!

Christmas Horses

With the UK still looking much like this....

 I'm turning my attention to Christmassy things like this.

They're little festive folk horses for your tree. I absolutely love them and you can find them on folksy here

I've organised a Christmas Crafternoon with some friends this Sunday. It's going to be a fun party afternoon with food drink and making some simple crafts. I'm really looking forward to it. I've been trawling craft books and websites for some fun things to make. One of the girls coming suggested making mulled cider which sounds fairly lethal!
I have no further tearoom news from last week. I'm really just waiting on people doing their bit and getting back to me, so for now, you'll have to endure some random blog entries until I have more news...

Comfy Food

When the weather is like this, all I want to do is stock up, cook and eat. I walked to the shops yesterday and came back with a random selection of stuff. Milk, necessary, cheese, obviously, but the scented candle and rubber gloves were perhaps a bit superfluous... I really just wanted to get out and enjoy the momentary interaction with the man who served me in the shop. I'm feeling a bit lonely here in my flat with no visitors!

Come share my homemade soup with me

Anyway, enough self pity (I actually LOVE the snow) and onto important things like this stollen spirals recipe from my favourite recipe website. My squirrel/bear like make up makes me want to bake this, scoff, then go to sleep. It is carb central, these doughy balls with nuts and other tasty bits. I may have to pop to the shop again for some ingredients. My pistachio stash is currently low...

I've not had much more tearoom action this week but I am happy with where I am at the moment. I have a lovely architect who is currently doing up my drawings and applying for planning permission and my building warrant. My Cushion&Cake bank account is now open and I have my own debit card which says Cushion&Cake and everything! I guess this means I can start buying stuff doesn't it? Yes!!!